Table 4 Psychiatrists’ Readiness to be involved in the assessment of Psychiatric Euthanasia procedures

Would you consider to actively engage in one or more roles concerning explicitly expressed (distinct?) euthanasia requests of adult patients with (a) psychiatric disorder(s)?

N (%)

No, in not one single role

29 (16.3%)

Yes, as treating physician, who refers the own patient to a colleague-physician for further clarification/advise

121 (68.0%)

Yes, as attending physician, engaged in the clarification of a euthanasia request of my own patient

70 (39.3%)

Yes, as attending physician, engaged in the clarification of a euthanasia request of a colleague-physician’s patient

62 (34.8%)

Yes, as preliminary advising physician concerning a partial aspect (e.g. ruling out the existence of an acute depression, assessing mental competence).^c

78 (43.8%)

Yes, as procedural advising physician concerning the legally required 1st or 2nd advice

54 (30.3%)

Yes, as performing physician, when being present at, assisting in of carrying out the act of euthanasia in my own patient

15 (8.4%)

Yes, as performing physician, when being present at, assisting in of carrying out the act of euthanasia in a colleague’s patient

8 (4.5%)